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From:
EFF Press <[hidden email]>
Date: Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Subject: [E-B] EFF: Who Is Flying Unmanned Aircraft in the U.S.?
To:
[hidden email]Electronic Frontier Foundation Media Release
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Contact:
Jennifer Lynch
Staff Attorney
Electronic Frontier Foundation
[hidden email]
<a href="tel:%2B1%20415-436-9333%20x136" value="+14154369333" target="_blank">+1 415-436-9333 x136
Who Is Flying Unmanned Aircraft in the U.S.?
Government Withholds Information on Drone Flight
Authorizations
San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
filed suit today against the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), demanding data on certifications and
authorizations the agency has issued for the operation of
unmanned aircraft, also known as drones.
Drones are designed to carry surveillance equipment –
including video cameras, infrared cameras and heat sensors,
and radar – that can allow for sophisticated and almost
constant surveillance. They can also carry weapons.
Traditionally, drones have been used almost exclusively by
military and security organizations. However, the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection uses drones inside the United
States to patrol the U.S. borders, and state and local law
enforcement are increasingly using unmanned aircraft for
investigations into things like cattle rustling, drug
dealing, and the search for missing persons.
Any drone flying over 400 feet needs a certification or
authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration,
part of the DOT. But there is currently no information
available to the public about who specifically has obtained
these authorizations or for what purposes. EFF filed a
Freedom of Information Act request in April of 2011 for
records of unmanned aircraft activities, but the DOT so far
has failed to provide the information.
"Drones give the government and other unmanned aircraft
operators a powerful new surveillance tool to gather
extensive and intrusive data on Americans' movements and
activities," said EFF Staff Attorney Jennifer Lynch. "As
the government begins to make policy decisions about the
use of these aircraft, the public needs to know more about
how and why these drones are being used to surveil United
States citizens."
Dozens of companies and research organizations are working
to develop even more sophisticated drones, so their use is
poised for a dramatic expansion in the coming years.
Meanwhile, news reports indicate that the FAA is studying
ways to integrate more drones into the national airspace
because of increased demand from federal, state, and local
governments. EFF's lawsuit asks for immediate response to
our FOIA request, including the release of data on any
certificates and authorizations issued for unmanned
aircraft flights, expired authorizations, and any
applications that have been denied.
"The use of drones in American airspace could dramatically
increase the physical tracking of citizens – tracking that
can reveal deeply personal details about our private
lives," said Lynch. "We're asking the DOT to follow the
law and respond to our FOIA request so we can learn more
about who is flying the drones and why."
For the full complaint:
https://www.eff.org/sites/default/files/filenode/EFFDroneComplaint.pdf
For more on this case:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/01/drones-are-watching-you
For this release:
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/who-flying-unmanned-aircraft-us
About EFF
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading
organization protecting civil liberties in the digital
world. Founded in 1990, we defend free speech online, fight
illegal surveillance, promote the rights of digital
innovators, and work to ensure that the rights and freedoms
we enjoy are enhanced, rather than eroded, as our use of
technology grows. EFF is a member-supported organization.
Find out more at
https://www.eff.org.
-end-
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